2017 Transcendental Art Seminar in New Vrindaban

Dhriti dasi (teacher) said: “We invite all devotional artists and those desiring to explore this amazing devotional art to join us for this two week intensive course. We will delve into the practical points of executing a painting, and then using those tools to paint and express our devotional vision.”

The morning classes: studying the figure, life drawing from a model, color, oil painting procedure, portrait painting, painting from life, composition, values, landscape, painting the landscape from nature, principles of transcendental figures, and the study of cloth, tone, and values.

The afternoon classes: developing and creating original transcendental painting. The instructors will be painting alongside their students, so everyone can observe the process. Personal instruction will be given to students to guide and develop their artistic abilities. This is an intensive art seminar: to get a complete experience of art and to produce a painting.

All levels welcome.

The Western style of painting, using classical techniques, that Ram Das and Dhriti employ was requested by Srila Prabhupada, who instructed his artist disciples to make Krishna “real” so that people would understand Him as a real person and not mythology.

“We strive to develop better technique and deeper understanding to communicate the beautiful profound teachings Srila Prabhupada has given us,” Dhriti says. “It has been our meditation throughout our entire lives to make these pastimes ‘real’ but not mundane.”

“This would be a great way for devotee artists to introduce Krishna to many people, and to bring appreciation and inquiry for the amazing philosophy of Krishna consciousness,” Dhriti says. “Already, we are seeing the potential of devotional art to affect the hearts of people who appreciate culture and fine arts.

Instructors

Dhrti Dasi (Miriam Briks) graduated from the School of Art & Design in New York and also studied at L’Academia di belle arti di Siena, the Art Students League and Art League (under Irwin Greenberg and Max Ginsburg) in New York, and the Fechin Institute (under David Lefel) in Taos. She painted in the BBT art department from 1975-86 and received instructions on painting from Srila Prabhupada. She painted with the original core group of BBT artists: Jadurani dasi, Pariksit Dasa, and Murlidhar Dasa. Her paintings are included in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Caitanya-caritamrita, and Krsna book. She was the BBT’s co-art director in Europe between 1980 and 1986. She is a member of Portrait Painters of America and Oil Painters of America. Exhibits in Galleries: Simic Gallery, Beverly Hills, 1988; Carmel and La Jolla, CA, 1989 and 1990, respectively; Summerfield Fine Arts, Aspen, 1990-99; Salmagundi in New York; Howard Manderville in Washington, DC, 1991 (group show: 1992, 1993,1995); Fox Theater, 2003; Dassin Gallery, Los Angeles, 1987-2007; Masterpiece Gallery, Carmel, CA, 1995-2000; Trees Place in Cape Cod (group exhibit), 2000-08; Pasadena Art Museum, 2005; Canyon Road Fine Arts in Santa Fe, 2005-08.

Ram Das Abhiram Dasa (Kevin Yee ) has a BA from the University of Fullerton in California. He studied at L’Academia di belle arti di Siena, the Art Students League and the Art League (under Max Ginsburg) in New York, and the Fechin Institute (under David Lefel) in Taos. He painted in the BBT art department from 1975-86 and received instructions on painting from Srila Prabhupada. He painted with the original core group of BBT artists: Jadurani dasi, Pariksit Dasa, and Murlidhar Dasa. His paintings are included in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Caitanya-caritamrita, and Krsna book. He was the BBT’s co-art director, along with his wife, Dhrti Dasi, in Europe between 1980 and 1986, when they were based in Italy. Exhibits in Galleries: Simic Gallery, Beverly Hills, 1988; Carmel and La Jolla, CA, 1989 and 1990, respectively; Summerfield Fine Arts, Aspen, 1990-99; Fox Theater, 2003; Dassin Gallery, Los Angeles, 1987; Masterpiece Gallery, Carmel, CA, 1995-2000; Pasadena Art Museum, 2005.